Slow Start Dooms Men's Basketball in 81-65 Loss at Belmont Abbey

BELMONT, N.C. - After a slow start in the first half, Pfeiffer University was unable to rebound in time during the second half suffering a 81-65 loss at Belmont Abbey on Tuesday night. The host Crusaders improve to 9-4 overall, 2-3 in league play while sending the Falcons to 2-9, 1-4.

Six different players scored for Belmont Abbey during the first five-and-a-half minutes led by Tyshawn Good's six points as the Crusaders started the night with an 18-0 run. Matt Ellwood and Josh Humphrey would stop the bleeding with a three and layup but Belmont Abbey had already secured their double-digit lead.

Humphrey and Tayron Gibson would get the Falcons to within a dozen on two different occasions but a three-pointer by the Crusaders Jay Council put the hosts up 21 before a late Kenny Tappin three helped sliced the lead down to 16, 41-25 at the break.

In the second half, AJ Clark would get the Falcons within 11 five minutes into the final stanza but Belmont Abbey would continue their steady scoring over the final 20 minutes to grab the 16-point victory.

Good would lead all scorers on the night with 23 for the Crusaders followed closely by Council's 22. Humphrey paced the Falcons once again with 21 points while Gibson contributed 18. Both teams shot 42% from the field while Belmont Abbey held the advantage from behind the arc and free throw line to provide the difference.

Pfeiffer will look to get back on the winning track on Saturday traveling to King for a 7:30 p.m. matchup with the Tornado. Live stats and video will be available through http://www.gofalconsports.com.